How to Buy and Design Photo Books? [Full Tutorial]

I will share the steps in numbers. Honestly, there are MANY STEPS to finally get our photo book, a bit hard and time consuming for first timer but trust me, you will learn and improve as you play :D

**** Don't skip the captions, okay?

Wohooo. 

1. First, buy the photobook voucher / code.

There are many ways to buy one:

• Directly from photobook.com.my (LINK)
• The price depends on any promotion going on or not.
• with promotion, can be as low as RM 1!
• without promotion, the normal price is RM 79 per photo book.

• Fave (previously group-on) (LINK)
• The cheapest so far is RM 2 per photo book.
• Advantage - the code is available right after the payment.
• Disadvantage - you can only buy 1 photo book per purchase. So if you need more, it is a bit struggle to do the same process over and over again.

• Lazada (just knew about this - I haven't try buying anything from Lazada yet hee) (LINK)
• The cheapest one! RM 1 per photo book.
• Advantage - you can buy many photo books with one payment. 
• Disadvantage - the code will be available within 3 working days.

3 websites that I know.

2. Activate your code. (or just skip to step #3)

You will receive the code after the payment (via the website itself or via email)

Honestly, I didn't activate my codes for my photo books except the first one. I realized it makes no difference if I activate the codes or not. Why? I still need to key in the code when I submit the photo book for printing.

Just key in the data and click submit. 

The purpose of activating the code is to keep a record for our purchase and the let photobook.com.my to send us reminders when the expiration date gets closer. If you buy from Fave, they will remind you as well. 

3. Download Photobook Designer software.

You can get the software for free from photobook.com.my website.

3.1 - Scroll to the bottom part of the page.
3.2 - Then, click the one with arrow. 

3.3 - Click "DOWNLOAD". You can download on your phone as well (but not sure how it works as I usually design my photobooks with my laptop)

4. Open the Photobook Designer program. 

It will appear like this:

4.1 - Click "Create a New Project". 

4.2 - Next, double click on "Photobooks" or click Photobooks >> Next

4.3 - Choose "Hardcover and Softcover". Ignore the price as this is only a software to design the photo book. You will redeem the code later. 

4.4 - Choose "6x6 Mini Square Softcover" for this tutorial. If you buy any other designs in the future, click the equivalent one .

4.5 - Enter your project name. 

5. Now, you can start designing your photo book ;D

I personally take minimum 2 hours to design one - from sorting the photos to adding caption, editing the size, preview etc.

After you enter your project name, your screen will turn into this. I will explain the basic functions of every parts that I've put arrows.

Orange - Click "+" to add photos that you want to use for this photo book. (See next picture)
Red - This area will show every page of the photo book.
Purple - Buttons to edit the photo book (undo, redo, save, add picture, add text etc). The play button is to review the photo book. The trolley is to submit the photo book (will be used later after you finish the design)
Green - Working area
Yellow - Choices of design.
Blue - Area to edit text and box etc

The software will actually help with guidance throughout the process. You don't have to be connected to the Internet in this designing phase. You can also save the project to edit any time later.

This is how my photo book cover looks like. To edit a text, you need to make sure you SELECT EVERY SINGLE ALPHABETS. You can play around with this actually.

For yellow arrow area:

You can add any of these to any pages that you want.
How? Just CLICK AND DRAG into the working area (green arrow)

6. Preview and save your photo book.

Important to see the final result before you submit and order the photo book. If there is anything you need to change, do it as changes cannot be done once you submit the order.

Play button - to preview.
Trolley button - to order.

7. Order the photo book.

Click the trolley button. Then, this notice will appear on the screen. Now, you need to make sure you are connected to Internet :)

7.1 Simply tick the box >> Start.

7.2 - Then, another box will appear. DON'T CLICK ANYTHING as you will be redirected to photobook.com.my website. 

8. Sign in to Photobook.

Or if you don't have account yet, you can create one. No matter what, you still need an account to order the photo book.

It is not that hard to create an account :)

9. Now, you can see your cart. Change the type of paper.

I know that you are surprised with the price. Don't worry, you will redeem the voucher / code soon!

9.1 - Change the type of paper you want to use. 

9.2 - Just select the first one - Photo Lustre Paper. You will save RM 4.90. This type of paper is still of good quality for the photo book :)

9.3 - See, the price reduced a bit! Now, click "Continue".

10. Choose shipping method.

The first one is already good :)

10.1 - Click Express Shipping >> Continue

11. Redeem your voucher.

Scroll down a bit until you reach 'payment details'.
Here you can finally redeem the code! Yeay!

11.1 - Key in the code >> click "Redeem".

It will become like this. 

12. Pay the shipping cost.

11.2 - Now, you only need to pay the shipping cost (+ GST lol).
Choose any online banking etc >> then click "Confirm Order"

Just proceed with the normal processes of online payment. :) I believe most of us know how to deal with this, hehe.

Click "Proceed"

It will redirect you to the chosen online banking.

13. Now, you are done with voucher redeem and payment. 

You will return to Photobook website with your order number. Just exit the page. No need to worry as you will also receive the order number via email for future reference. 

14. Now, it is time to upload your photo book :D

This process takes quite some time, depending on your Internet speed.

Click "Upload Order" >> then "Continue"

Simply wait for the upload. Just do other stuffs while waiting. 

15. Upload completed!

Just click "OK"

16. Check your photo book status.

You can either check the status via email or Photobook Designer software.

You will get lots of emails regarding your payment / order / status. 

On Photobook Designer, click "Open an Existing Project"

Now you can check your photo book status - In Production. Once they deliver the photo book to you, it will change to Order Completed. 

----------------------------------------------

Looks complicated, isn't it? Haha yes, I need to admit that. However, it will be much easier through out time and when you want to design your next photo book, you will spend shorter time on it. :)

Have fun with this tutorial and hope it helps!

Can't wait to see your photo books as well! :D

SS, Perak, Malaysia

171016